Gardening is one of the ways through which property owners can transform their homes into tranquil spaces that can be nice to relax in and they require basic skills to achieve this. With simple do it yourself know how, householders can give their gardens new life and in turn make their surroundings aesthetically appealing and even boost the value of the home.
People looking at a how to guide in a bid to get ideas on the best way to go about sprucing up their back yards will be glad to hear that being in the garden actually has some health benefits. Spending time in natural environments, such as gardens and parks, can help lower stress levels and make people more positive, says Professor Geoff Beattie from Manchester University.
Research by leading woodcare manufacturer Ronseal shows that one in four Brits could be putting their wellbeing at risk by failing to spend enough time in the "right kind" of outdoor space or garden. Lack of exposure to well-maintained, appropriately designed and leafy outdoor surroundings can cause negative emotions such as stress, apathy or anxiety.
Householders should stay on top of things by engaging in a spot of gardening every now and then, according to Professor Beattie, who recommends taking care of overgrown and unkempt gardens because they are likely to cause negative thoughts and lead to a bad mood. He argues that if there is something that needs fixing, it is likely to play on your mind. Indeed, things like broken or poorly looked after fences spoil the natural environment and act as a constant, stressful reminder that work needs to be done.
The leading psychologist explains that natural environments "elicit specific emotional reactions, which reduce levels of stress". These spaces promote people's willingness to express positive views such as joy and satisfaction.
"Gardening itself is a good physical activity, in addition, it has got the desired characteristic of taking you out of yourself, caring and nurturing and thinking about something else and again, you are tending to spend prolonged periods of time in a natural environment," says Professor Beattie.
"Our human sensory system has evolved to deal with the level of stimulation which nature provides, most people can only get that level of nature through parks – where someone else is doing the work for us and gardens where we do it ourselves."
Gardening need not be stressful. With the help of DIY networks, homeowners can learn about the best way to go about improving and enjoying their outdoor spaces. Those looking for inspiration also have a wealth of recourses to draw ideas from, such home improvement shows, as well as flower and garden showcases.
And with figures from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks showing that an estimated 150,000 uninsured homes fall victim to burglary every year, it may be wise for property owners to protect whatever investment they pour into their gardens.